A Washington state wildlife sanctuary is reeling after losing 20 big cats to bird flu in just weeks. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton has called the deaths a “significant loss” as the highly contagious virus continues to spread among feline species. The outbreak highlights growing concerns about the vulnerability of captive big cats to this deadly disease.
Bird Flu Devastates Population of Big Cats at Sanctuary
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The nightmare began around Thanksgiving when the first cat at the sanctuary showed signs of illness. By early December, state officials had confirmed bird flu in multiple cats at the facility. The situation deteriorated rapidly, with the death toll eventually reaching 20.
Mark Mathews, director of the Wild Felid Advocacy Center, described the situation as “a living nightmare” in an interview with local media. “Every day, it’s just kind of you wake up and you think hopefully it’s a bad dream, but it’s not,” he said.
The sanctuary has lost more than half its residents. According to Mathews, the center housed 37 cats at the end of November. Now, only 17 remain.
The casualties include a diverse range of species: five African servals, four cougars, four bobcats, two Canada lynx, one Bengal cat, one Amur/Bengal tiger, one African caracal, one Geoffroy’s cat, and one Eurasian lynx. Many of these animals were beloved by staff and visitors alike.
Why Big Cats Are Particularly Vulnerable to Bird Flu
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Health officials confirmed that more than half of the sanctuary’s animals contracted avian influenza. The virus primarily spreads through infected bird secretions and droppings. Carnivorous mammals, including big cats, can become infected by coming into contact with sick birds or contaminated environments.
Felines seem particularly susceptible to this virus. According to wildlife health experts, symptoms can progress alarmingly fast in cats—often resulting in death within just 24 hours. The disease typically causes pneumonia-like conditions that overwhelm the animal’s system.
Some of the lost cats had been featured prominently on the sanctuary’s website. Tabbi, an endangered half-Bengal and half-Amur tiger who enjoyed playing in water, was among the casualties. Hannah, a cougar who came to the sanctuary as a cub after her mother was killed in Wyoming, was described as “sweet” with a playful habit of “sneaking up on volunteers.” Mouse, one of the smallest animals at the sanctuary, was a Geoffroy’s cat who had “captured the hearts of everyone who met her.”
The rapid spread of the virus through the sanctuary demonstrates how quickly bird flu can move through captive cat populations. Unlike domestic cats recently infected through contaminated raw pet food, these big cats likely contracted the virus through exposure to wild birds or their droppings.
Protecting Remaining Big Cats During the Crisis
In response to the outbreak, the sanctuary has implemented strict quarantine measures. The facility will remain closed to the public until further notice to protect the remaining animals and prevent additional spread of the virus.
Wildlife sanctuaries across the country are now on high alert. This outbreak represents one of the most significant losses of captive big cats to bird flu in the United States. It raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of endangered feline species in captivity.
The sanctuary is asking for community support during this difficult time. The loss has deeply affected the team, who are grieving for the animals they cared for daily.
As bird flu continues to spread among various species, this tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the interconnectedness of animal health and the challenges of protecting vulnerable species—even those in controlled environments designed to keep them safe.
